Chapter 19

I woke up at five the next morning to the sound of my alarm clock. It took me a moment to remember why it was going off at this early hour. I was finally able to drag myself out of bed and went down the hall to the other bedroom. I went inside and saw Donna cuddled up close to Sarah. 'If that is how I look when I'm cuddled up to Sarah, I can understand why everyone tells me that it's so cute, ' I thought to myself. I walked over to the side of the bed and started to nudge Donna by the shoulder.

"Donna, it's time to get up."

She started to stir a little.

"Donna, you have to go to work."

She started to stretch out her arms before she finally answered me.

"Thanks Mark."

"Anytime. Did you sleep well?"

"Like a rock."

As she was starting to sit up, Sarah started to stir a bit. She was stretching out much the same way her mom had.

"Looks like someone else will be getting up soon as well."

"It looks that way. I guess I'll go down and cook some breakfast for you. Feel free to take a shower before you leave."

"Thanks."

About that time, Sarah started to wake up.

"Morning Mommy."

"Good morning Sweetheart. Did you have a good day yesterday?"

"Yeah"

I was just starting to leave the room when she must have noticed me.

"Morning Daddy."

Before I could say anything, I noticed the look on Donna's face. I started to giggle as she asked the question that I had been asking.

"Why did you just call Mark 'daddy'?"

"I'll see you two in the kitchen," I said, as I left the room.

I went downstairs and started to cook something for breakfast. I figured that having Sarah up would mean that I was not going back to bed anytime soon. Sarah joined me in the kitchen about five minutes later. I could hear the shower running, so I figured that Donna was getting cleaned up.

I had just finished making breakfast and getting Sarah setup to eat when Donna entered the kitchen. She was dressed for work and was still brushing her hair.

"So, how did this 'daddy' business start?"

"How about you eat while I tell you what I know."

"Ok, but you better make it quick."

While Donna was eating her breakfast, I told her about Sarah waking me up yesterday. After telling her the whole story, even including her mom's reaction, Donna started to chuckle.

"I think that she's trying to tell me something."

"Well, I wanted to talk to you about it before letting it get too far. I think it would be better if I were 'Uncle Mark' rather than 'Daddy.' Uncles can stay away and still be close."

"I agree. Thanks for telling me."

"No problem. You better get moving. You don't want to be late."

"Thanks. I'll see you after work."

"Ok. Remember, you're staying for dinner tonight as well."

"Ok. See you tonight Sarah. Be good for Uncle Mark."

She gave her little girl a hug and kiss before she turned and left for work.

We went over to main house for lunch. After we had finished eating, Mom asked Jenny and me to come with her into the family room. Dad had come in as well, so I knew that this was going to be a serious discussion.

"Your mom tells me that Donna's parents have to move to Arizona," Dad stated.

"That's right."

"She also told me that Donna does not want to leave."

"Correct again."

"And that you two are willing to give up your own house to allow her to stay."

"Sounds right to me," Jenny stated.

"Why would you want to do that? They could take a room or two upstairs."

"Yeah, they could. It just would feel right if they were in the house. They make up a family already. Jenny and I are still playing house."

I saw a smile start to form on my Dad's face. I could not read whether it was pride or if he agreed.

"Why do you feel that we should allow her to stay with us?"

"Dad, she wants to stay and finish school here. She is 19 with an almost five-year-old daughter. She needs to strike out on her own, but she's not fully ready to do it. By staying in the annex, it would allow her to be independent but yet close enough to us in the event she needs some help."

My parents looked at each other with a strange look on their faces. I couldn't really read the reaction.

"We'll be right back. Sit tight."

My parents stepped out into the courtyard to talk. Jenny grabbed my hand and held it tightly.

"Do you think that they will let her stay?"

"I hope so. Sarah has rather grown on me."

"Yeah, I noticed. Daddy."

"Thanks. I need to get her to use Uncle Mark."

"Good luck."

We sat there for a few minutes before they came back in. I still was unable to read their faces.

"Well, we have come to a decision. We agree to offer her the use of this house. If you had not offered up the annex for them to use, we would not have gone for this. You are willing to give up having your own place to live for this. In a way, we are proud of both of you."

"Why?"

"Your offer and reasoning behind it shows that you understand what being a family is about. You realize that you should be the ones living in the main house and being with your family and that Donna and Sarah, though good friends are not our family. You two are growing up quickly."

"Thanks Mom, Dad. Do you want to be there when we ask Donna if she is willing?"

"No, you can do that."

"I guess I should have asked sooner, but can Donna, Sarah and Donna's parents have dinner with us? I would like to discuss this with them."

"As long as you and Jenny help with dinner, I can handle it."

"Thanks"

"Hi Donna. How did work go today?"

"Getting busy. With the holidays approaching it gets insane. How was my darling today?"

"Her usual delightful self. Come in and sit down. We would like to discuss something with you."

"Ok"

We went into the living room and relaxed. Jenny joined us a few minutes later and sat down beside me.

"What are your plans with your parents moving?"

"I need to find a place to live. I would like to be able to move Sarah and myself into our own apartment, but I don't make enough money for that. At the end of a normal week, what I make pays for daycare and a few other oddities."

Jenny and I looked at each other. We nodded in agreement with our next step.

"Donna, we have been discussing this with my parents and they agree with us. We would like to offer you this place."

Her eyebrows bunched together. You could tell that she was uncertain what this offer entailed.

"Are you offering me the use of this house?"

"Yes we are."

"But this is your home. I can't do that."

"Donna, there is more than enough space for us in the main house."

"I could move in there. I don't want to take this from you two."

"The main house is where our family lives. We should be with our family. You and Sarah are a family. You should be together. This would also allow us to help you when you need it."

"I don't know what to say. I never expected this."

"You might want to say yes. Sarah would not want to get away from her 'daddy'," Jenny giggled.

"Oh God, not you too," I answered. Both of them were laughing at me now.

"It sounds great. It just makes me a bit nervous."

"Listen, we know that until you graduate, you can't work full time. This would allow your money to stretch further. You and Sarah would basically be living on your own. If you need something, we are only across the courtyard."

"You would really do this for me?"

Jenny and I nodded.

"Thank you so much." Jenny and I received a hug. Tears were flowing from her eyes.

"Should we take that as a yes?"

"Yes!"

"You're staying for dinner tonight you know. We have already invited your parents to let them know."

She never did answer. I could see tears in her eyes. Not tears of sadness, but that of joy.

Dinner that night went over pretty well. In a way, I think Mrs. Taylor was relieved knowing that Donna would be close to good friends. We found out that this would also make their move much easier as well.

"When do you have to be there," Dad asked.

"They want me in Phoenix the Monday after Thanksgiving."

"That's only 3 weeks from tomorrow. That is a pretty tight schedule."

"I will be flying down there next week for get oriented where I will be working. I also have to find a house for us to live in. The company is moving me, so they will deal with buying it and selling our home here. They are also hiring a moving company to move my household goods."

"Wow, when will they be there?"

"Probably just before Thanksgiving."

"That's not much time."

"No it's not."

The discussion went on for a while. It was decided that Jenny and I would spend this week moving out of the annex. Next week, Donna and Sarah would be moving in. By the time the movers show up, Sarah and she should be fully moved in.

Donna was worried about Thanksgiving. She wanted to spend the holiday with her parents since it would be the last time they would see each other for a while. Her parents told her that they would have to see how things worked out.

The following week was a busy one. Everyday after school, Jenny and I would work on our homework upon arriving home. We would then get working on moving our things from the annex and into the bedroom upstairs that we had chosen. Since Jan and Erin had chosen 2 rooms that shared common bathroom, Jenny and I were going to have one to ourselves.

Wednesday, Jenny received news from the District Attorney handling the rape trial. Ryan was schedule to stand trial just after the upcoming holiday. This made Jenny both happy and nervous. She was happy that she was going to see justice done. She was also upset that she would have to face him again. I just held her close and comforted her.

We had gotten moved out by Friday. That would mean that Donna was going to start moving in on Saturday. Mom volunteered Jenny and me to help them with the packing for both Donna and her parents. By the time her father returned from Phoenix at the end of the week, we had Donna fully moved and almost everything else ready for the movers on Monday.

Donna was quite upset. Her parents were going to leave on Tuesday instead of after the holiday. They needed to be in Phoenix by Saturday when their furniture was scheduled to arrive.

"I was hoping that they could spend the holiday with me before they had to leave."

"I understand how you feel. I would hate to not be with my parents for the holiday. At the same time, they have about 4 days of driving ahead of them. The furniture is going to get there on Saturday. They will need to be there."

"I know. I was just hoping."

"I'll be honest, I don't know how I will be able to handle it when I move away from my parents. It seems so scary to think about."

"It is. At least you don't have don't have anyone who depends on you totally to worry about. I have Sarah to think about. It makes it even scarier."

"Just remember, if you need anything all you need to do is ask. You know I will help out where I can."

"Thanks. I know Sarah likes having you around. Does she still call you her daddy?"

"Yeah. I don't think we are going to be able to change that."

"I think it's cute. But still, I would rather she use Uncle Mark instead."

"I'm trying."

"I know."

"When are your parents leaving?"

"The movers will leave Monday night. They are going to spend the night and leave Tuesday morning."

"That means that you will get the evening with them. For a change, they will stay at your house."

That got a laugh out of her. It was going to be a big role reversal. I knew my parents had offered up a room, but they chose to take Donna up on the offer instead. Sarah was going to sleep with her while her parents used the bed in Sarah's room. Good thing Sarah had a big bed.

"Thanks Mark. You always seem to be able to make me laugh. I needed it."

"If you need me, you know where to find me. I better see what Jenny is up to."

"Later."

I went inside the main house to find Jenny playing with Sarah. For a change, I was the one who stood back and watched. I think Jenny enjoyed playing with Sarah as much as I did.

"Playing again I see."

"Hi Daddy," Sarah answered.

"Oh, you're back. How is the packing going," Jenny asked

"They are ready for the movers tomorrow. Donna is a little down over it."

"Why?"

"You should know how it feels to leave the comfort of what you have grown to know as home for the unknown. Her parents will be over 2000 miles away."

"I'll have to pay her a visit. Come on Sarah, let's go see mommy."

"Ok. Bye Daddy."

I just rolled my eyes and watched them leave. Sarah was starting to make me feel old.

Jenny and I had gone down to the Taylor home to help them finish packing. I was charged with keeping an eye on Sarah. I complained, "I thought that I was supposed to be working?"

"You're watching Sarah," Mrs. Taylor commented.

"You call that work? That is too much fun to be work."